TikTok Chief Executive Officer Shou Zi Chew is anticipated to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, where he is expected to receive a prominent seating position on the dais.
This development occurs as the incoming administration’s national security adviser indicates potential measures to prevent TikTok from being discontinued in the United States.
Incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz remarked during an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends” that the federal legislation capable of banning TikTok by the upcoming Sunday also provides for an extension, provided that a viable acquisition proposal is under consideration.
The bipartisan effort to preserve TikTok mirrors the contentious initiative to ban the platform within the United States.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer communicated on Thursday that he had discussed with President Joe Biden the necessity of extending the deadline to impose a ban on TikTok.
“It is evident that additional time is required to facilitate the identification of an American purchaser and to avoid disruption to the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans, including numerous influencers who have cultivated substantial networks of followers,” Schumer stated on the Senate floor on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Democrats attempted to advance legislation that would have extended the deadline; however, this effort was obstructed by Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas.
Senator Cotton, who serves as the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, asserted that TikTok has had sufficient opportunity to secure a buyer.
The Biden administration has announced that it does not intend to take actions that would result in TikTok ceasing operations for users in the United States on the upcoming Sunday, as confirmed by an administration official in a statement to ABC News.
It is important to note that TikTok may independently decide to terminate its services on that date as a means of clearly communicating to the 170 million users it claims to utilize the app monthly regarding the potential consequences of the ban.
However, the Biden administration appears to be indicating that it will not enforce the law that is set to take effect one day prior to the president’s departure from office.
A White House official conveyed, “Our position on this matter has been explicit: TikTok ought to continue its operations under American ownership.
Considering the timing of the law’s enforcement coinciding with a holiday weekend just before inauguration, it will be incumbent upon the subsequent administration to determine its implementation.”
According to the provisions of the law, TikTok is not mandated to shut down on January 19.
Instead, it is the app stores and internet hosting services that could face legal repercussions should they continue facilitating TikTok’s operations.
The legislation empowers the Justice Department to pursue fines of up to $5,000 per user, which represents a significant potential liability given the application’s widespread popularity.
